Chinese and Russian diplomats have called for the lifting of “unlawful sanctions” imposed on Iran, reiterating Tehran’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
During trilateral negotiations between Russia, China, and Iran in Beijing on Friday, the diplomats exchanged views on Iran’s nuclear programme and other international issues of mutual concern.
In a joint statement, they emphasised “the necessity of lifting all unlawful, unilateral sanctions.”
The meeting, chaired by China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, was attended by Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
This came a day after US President Donald Trump sent a letter to Iran calling for talks and issuing a warning should Tehran refuse.
China, Russia, and Iran noted that “relevant parties should be committed to addressing the root causes of the current situation and abandoning sanctions, pressure, or threats of force.”
They stressed that dialogue must be based on "mutual respect" as the only practical solution to the issue, urging "relevant parties to refrain from taking any action that would escalate the situation" or undermine diplomatic efforts.
The statement further affirmed that Iran reserves the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and this decision should be "fully" respected.
The Trump administration has escalated sanctions since taking office in January, reinstating the so-called "maximum pressure" policy, a campaign of hybrid warfare targeting the Islamic Republic.
The latest sanctions follow confirmation by Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, delivered a letter from Trump to the Iranian leadership.
Meanwhile, responding to the letter on Thursday, Araghchi stated that Iran would not engage in talks with the United States unless negotiations were free from pressure and threats.
Follow us
